GALVESTON, Texas (August 12, 2015) – A major beach expansion will begin tomorrow in Galveston, representing the largest sand nourishment project to take place on the Texas Gulf Coast this summer.

The project will use 725,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from the Galveston Ship Channel to create 20 blocks of additional beach along the island’s seawall between 61st and 81st streets.

“This is the single largest volume of sand ever placed on Galveston’s beaches,” said Park Board Executive Director Kelly de Schaun. “This project is part of a long-term strategy to build public beaches, protect community assets from storm surges and increase property values on the island.”

The $23-million-project is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Galveston Park Board, City of Galveston and the Texas General Land Office. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District, which routinely dredges the ship channel every 18-24 months, will place the material on the beach in lieu of offshore.

“The USACE Galveston District is excited to partner with the Galveston Park Board of Trustees and Texas General Land Office in order to carry out a dredging project that will benefit channel users and Galveston residents,” said Tricia Campbell, an operations manager with the USACE Galveston District. “While undertaking its mission of keeping America’s waterways navigable, the Corps is able to turn that into an added benefit for the community by placing dredged material (sand) on the Galveston beach for tourists and residents to enjoy. This beneficial use project allows the Corps to work with a cost-sharing sponsor to place dredged material along the coastline.”

Crews will begin working on Galveston’s beaches tomorrow morning with sand placement scheduled to begin Aug. 22. The project will take approximately 60 days to complete. During construction, public access to west seawall beaches between 61st and 81st streets will be limited.

"This project is a great example of what can happen when city, state and federal governments work together to accomplish a common objective," said Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush. "Dredge material is not only a cost-effective way to nourish a beach, it will help boost Galveston's tourism and protect the seawall."